Let the celebration begin. 
From outskirts, to neighborhoods, to first glimpses of the Cathedral.
How eerie it was to see a site I vividly remembered from June 22, 2014, four years ago. Though only a week later in June, the river offered welcomed relief from the heat and sun. With this year’s unseasonably cold and wet weather, no one gathered by the river.
A welcomed day with no rain. Nature wasn’t without expression. Morning wind and chilly temperatures were the most extreme.
Who could resist the wonderful expressions on my three new Italian friends?
• Wednesday, May 30, 2018, Day #20
• Valdediós
• Distance 12 miles; total 279 miles
• 1,719’ ascent and 1,376’ descent
• 25% hard surface
• Time: 5 hours 45 minutes
• Weather: 50-60 overcast
It’s a sure thing. Mornings will find last nights pilgrims at the first opened café. It’s an unspoken coffee club. No agreements. We just appear.
Good coffee keeps us going.
1st towards Valdediós
2nd towards Valdediós
3rd towards Valdediós
• Tuesday, May 29, 2018, Day #19
• Priesca
• Distance 14 miles; total 267 miles
• 1,719’ ascent and 1,376’ descent
• 70% hard surface
• Time: 8 hours 45 minutes
• Weather: 50-60 blue sky becoming overcast
After reflection at a church, a taxi stand miraculously appears. Tempted? Never.
1st towards Priesca
2nd towards Priesca
3rd towards Priesca
• Friday, May 25, 2018, Day #15
• La Franca
• Distance 14 miles; total 215.5 miles
• 1,414’ ascent and 1,374’ descent
• 95% hard surface
• Time: 6 1/2 hours
• Weather: 55-65 overcast, misty rain
Magic moments. New and old faces appear every day as if drawn from a magician’s hat.
Elsewhere, Christine and his friend have completed their Camino arriving in Santiago.
1st towards La Franca
2nd towards La Franca
3rd towards La Franca
• Thursday, May 24, 2018, Day #14
• San Vicente de la Barquera
• Distance 15.5 miles; total 201.5 miles (including 5-minute car ride to apartment)
• 1,539’ ascent and 1,629’ descent
• 100% hard surface
• Time: 8 hours
• Weather: 55-65 overcast
By the water, near the water, and on the water.
All sea worshippers…cows, pilgrims, and surfers. With whom do you identify?
1st towards San Vicente
2nd towards San Vicente
3rd towards San Vicente
• Thursday, May 24, 2018, Day #14
• San Vicente de la Barquera
• Distance 15.5 miles; total 201.5 miles (including 5-minute car ride to apartment)
• 1,539’ ascent and 1,629’ descent
• 100% hard surface
• Time: 8 hours
• Weather: 55-65 overcast
By the water, near the water, and on the water.
Sea worshippers…cows, pilgrims, and surfers. With whom do you identify?
1st towards San Vicente
2nd towards San Vicente
3rd towards San Vicente
• Wednesday, May 23, 2018, Day #13
• Cóbreces
• Distance 14.5 miles; total 171.7 miles (including 2-minute train ride crossing river)
• 1,628’ ascent and 1,459’ descent
• 100% hard surface
• Time: 7 3/4 hours
• Weather: 55-65 overcast
Vespers at Abadia de Santa Maria de Viaceli. So much quiet.
1st Cóbreces
2nd Cóbreces
3rd Cóbreces
• Saturday, May 19, 2018, Day #9
• Santoña
• Distance 18 miles; total 129 miles
• 1,044’ ascent and 1,046’ descent
• 100% hard surface
• Time: 5 1/2 hours
• Weather: 55-60 degrees; overcast becoming sunny
Perfect timing. Celebration in the plazas.
There is a pervasive gentleness about the people. I haven’t see adults in discourse, parents raising voice to children, or children having a melt-down.
I have not seen poverty nor have I seen what appears as mass unemployed persons.
1st Santoña
2nd Santoña
3rd Santoña / Saburo and me by hostel.
Linda Scandore 